⛳️ Rory’s Epic Masters Win + Poppy Steals the Show!

Good morning. We are back at it after a bit of a hiatus!

This is your Happy Valley Golf Team newsletter. Let’s get it!

Here’s what we’ve got for you today:

• Rory’s Redemption: McIlroy conquers Augusta’s demons, winning the 2025 Masters in a playoff thriller to complete the Grand Slam.

• Poppy’s Putt: Rory’s daughter lights up the Par 3 Contest with a 25-footer, melting hearts in a tiny caddie outfit.

• Bryson’s Chill: DeChambeau spills on Rory’s silent treatment during their tense final-round battle.

• Amateur Reality Check: Ever wonder what a bogey golfer would score at Augusta? Spoiler: It’s brutal.

Unsolicited Golf Tips

Watch: Why 95% Amateurs can’t create PGA Wrist Motion!

Golf Trivia

PGA News

The 2025 Masters just dropped a plot twist wilder than a shank into the Amen Corner azaleas. Rory McIlroy, after 11 years of Augusta heartbreak, finally nabbed that elusive green jacket—and it was a rollercoaster only he could ride.

Sunday Chaos at Augusta

Rory rolled into the final round with a two-shot lead over Bryson DeChambeau, looking like he’d finally tame Augusta’s demons at 12-under. But this is Rory we’re talking about—smooth sailing? Nah. He wobbled on the back nine, coughing up shots like a weekend hacker. Just when we were bracing for another McIlroy Masters meltdown (2011 vibes, anyone?), Justin Rose sneaked up with a slick 66 to force a playoff at 11-under. Oh, and Rory? He lipped out a 5-footer to win outright on 18. Golf Twitter nearly broke.

Playoff Payoff

Sudden death on 18. Rose smoked his approach to 15 feet—clutch. But Rory? He spun his shot back to 4 feet, with the Augusta crowd roaring like a jet engine. Rose’s birdie slid by. Rory’s didn’t. Ball in cup, demons gone, green jacket secured. Cue the waterworks.

Grand Slam Greatness

With this W, McIlroy joins golf’s VIP list—only the sixth player ever to complete the career Grand Slam, alongside legends like Nicklaus and Woods. First European to do it in the modern era, too. From his 2011 collapse to a decade-long major drought, Rory’s Augusta saga is the stuff of golfing legend. He even made history as the first champ to win with two-plus double bogeys. Classic Rory chaos.

Other Buzz

• Bryson DeChambeau? Fizzled with a final-round 75, tying for fifth at 7-under. Oof.

• Canada’s Corey Conners balled out, snagging T8 at 5-under. Nick Taylor? T44 at 3-over. Weir and Pendrith missed the cut.

• Patrick Reed (solo third, 9-under) and Scottie Scheffler (fourth, 8-under) kept it spicy.

• Rory’s haul? A cool $4.2M from the $21M purse. Not bad for four days of sweating.

The Takeaway

McIlroy’s Masters journey was a decade of “almosts” turned into one epic “at last.” The guy who once crumbled under Augusta.

News You Need to Know

Before teeing off at the 2025 Masters, Rory McIlroy shared a heartwarming moment with his four-year-old daughter, Poppy, during the Par 3 Contest at Augusta. Poppy sank an impressive 25-foot putt, stealing the show and earning cheers from the crowd. The adorable father-daughter scene, with Poppy in a tiny caddie outfit, went viral, showcasing McIlroy’s softer side as he chased the elusive green jacket.

Bryson DeChambeau revealed a frosty final round at the 2025 Masters, saying Rory McIlroy didn’t speak to him once as they battled for the green jacket. DeChambeau, struggling with his irons, carded a 75 to finish tied for fifth, while McIlroy’s focus paid off, clinching the title in a playoff against Justin Rose. The silence underscored their intense rivalry, fresh off last year’s U.S. Open clash.

Ever wondered what a bogey golfer would score at Augusta National on Masters Sunday? GOLF.com dives into this hypothetical with CBS analyst Mark Immelman, who predicts a tough day for the average Jane or Joe. With firm greens, tricky pins, and intense final-round pressure, expect plenty of double pars—think scores pushing triple digits. It’s a fun, humbling look at just how brutal Augusta can be for weekend warriors.

Meme of the Week

Thanks for reading!

Enjoy the rest of your week,

Cody.